ELECTRICITY SMART METER TYPES
Not all smart meters have the same capabilities. The two main types are called SMETS1 and SMETS2, an abbreviation for Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications. The former use 3G to connect to electricity suppliers, so when you switch to a new supplier they will lose their ‘smart’ powers and work like a standard analogue meter – this is often referred to as ‘going dumb’. Despite this setback, SMETS1 meters remain the most common. Many people in the UK are now choosing SMETS2 meters instead, however. Each meter of this type sends the data received to one central data network. This means switching suppliers won’t make it ‘go dumb’ and you can still access your meter’s data.